43rd Maple Syrup Festival showcases nature’s sweet side

Emily McEntire, 7, takes a photo of sap dripping from a Sugar Maple tree following a demonstration of maple syrup production Sunday during the 43rd annual Maple Syrup Festival in Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont. (Frederick News-Post/Graham Cullen)

The sweet smell of cooking sugar and the earthy aroma of wood fire tempted onlookers at the 43rd annual Maple Syrup Festival in Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont this past weekend.

Visitors who sampled the treat got a history lesson along with a fix for their sweet tooth, and they’ll get to do the same this coming weekend.

Park rangers explained the Native American origins of maple syrup and its importance in the colonial era as they demonstrated the process of boiling the clear sap into thick, brown syrup.

Rangers gave hourly syrup-making demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the weekend-long event.

Ranger Jacob Doyle has been involved with the event since 2005. He likes showing people how simple the process is, but his favorite part is the history involved with it, he said.

If you go on March 16-17

The Maple Syrup Festival will continue from 9 a.m. to about 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Cunningham Falls and Gambrill state parks are at 14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd., Thurmont.